Hatch cover actuator



Sept. 29, 1959 J. E. HANNIGAN HATCH COVER ACTUATOR 2 Shets-Sheet 1 FiledNOV. 5, 1957 FIG. I

FIG. 2

INVENTOR.

JOSEPH E. HANNIGAN BY ATTORNEY J. E. HANNIGAN 2,906,324

HATCH'COVER ACTUATOR Sept. 29, 1959 Filed Nov'. 5, 195'? 2 Sheets-Sheet2 mm" mlllllnb t INVENTOR.

* 47 JOSEPH E. HANNIGAN 48 i A 2 BY I 4 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 29, 1959HATCH COVER ACTUATOR Joseph E. Hannigan', Mantua, Ohio, assignon toCleveland Pneumatic Industries, Inc., Cleveland, ]]10, a corporation ofOhio Application November 5, 1957, Serial No. 694,610

6 Claims. (Cl. 160-188) This invention relates to power operated doorsand more particularly to a power actuated folding door or hatch coversystem adapted to cover the hatchways of ships and the like.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a new andimproved power actuated folding door system.

It is another object of this invention to provide an actuating systemsuitable for use in operating folding hatch covers and the like.

It is still another object of this invention to provlde a simpleactuating system suitable for producing relatlve rotation between twopanels through a 180 angle.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a new andimproved power actuated hatch cover system for ship hatchways.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the followingdescription and drawings, wherein;

Figure l is a perspective view of a typical hatch cover to which thisinvention is applicable;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a hatch cover shown n Figure 1 showingthe positions of the cover elements 1n both the opened and closedpositions;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the actuating mechanism foropening and closing the hatch cover showing the position of the elementswhen the hatch cover is closed;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the POSI- tion of theelements when the hatch cover is in an mtermediate partially openedposition; and,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figures 3 and 4 showrng the position ofthe elements when the hatch cover 1s opened.

Referring to Figure 1 a hatch cover incorporating this invention isnormally formed of a plurality of panels 10, 11, 12, and 13 which arepositioned in a side by side relationship and cover a ships hatchwaywhen they are closed. The size of the hatchway and the clearancesadjacent thereto determines the number of panels which are used to covera given hatchway and the particular arrangement of opening the panels.In the embodiment shown there are four panels 11, 12, and 13, two ofwhich move to each end of the hatchway when it is opened. The particularstructure shown in Figures 1 and 2 is merely used as an illustration ofone type of arrangement which can be used but it should be understoodthat various arrangements can be operated by the actuating systemaccording to this invention. Each of the panels 10 to 13 is providedwith an upper relatively heavy plate 15 which is stiffened by beams andstruts to give the panel suflicient structural strength. The upperplates cooperate to form a continuous upper surface when the panels areclosed so it is not necessary to close in the lower surface of thepanels. Therefore the lower side or surface of the panel is an open gridformedby the stiifening beams. It will be understood that these beamsand struts will have to be arranged to provide adequate strength and inaddition provide support for the actuating mechanism described below.However, since the particu lar beam structure will vary widely withdifferent appli cations and is not critical to this invention thisstructure is not shown in detail.

The left two panels 10 and 11 co-operate to form one pair of panelspivotally connected by a hinge 14 for relative rotation around pivotaxis 16 adjacent to the lower side of the panel. The panel 10 is alsopivotally mounted on its left edge to a hinge 17 which is in turnmounted on the structure of the ships deck for rotation around a pivotaxis 18. A roller 19 is mounted to the right side of the panel 11 by asupport arm 21 and is adapted to roll along a track 22 best seen inFigure 1. Thus when the two panels 10 and 11 are rotated around thepivot axis 16 the roller 19 moves along the track 22 until the elementsare in the open position shown in phantom. The right two panels 12 and13 are similarly provided with a hinge 23 which connects them as a'pairfor relative rotation around a pivot axis 24. The panel 13 is alsoprovided with a hinge 26 which pivotally connects it to the deck forrotation relative thereto around a pixot axis 27 and a roller 28 issupported on the left end of the panel 12 by a support arm 29 and fitsinto a track 21. When the panels 10 through 13 close the hatchway theyare positioned in the alignment shown by the full line view of Figure 2and when the batch is to be opened the pair of panels 10 and 11 arefolded to the dotted line position at the left end of the hatchway andthe panels 12 and 13 are folded to the dotted line position at the rightend of the hatchway.

In order to provide the folding movement of the panels each pair ofpanels is provided with an actuating mechanism shown in Figures 3through 5. Because the actuating mechanisms are similar for each pair ofpanels only the system used to operate the panels 10 and 11 will bedescribed in detail with an understanding that the panels 12 and 13 havea similar but opposite actuating mechanism. As described above the twopanels 10 and 11 are pivotally connected by the hinge 14 for rotationaround the pivot axis 16. Pivotally connected to the panel 10 is a firstlink 36 which is suppored by a pivot block 37 for rotation relative tothe panel 10 around the pivot axis 33 longitudinally along the panel 19from the pivot axis 16. A second link 39 is mounted on the panel 11 bymeans of a pivot block 41 for rotation relative thereto around a pivotaxis 42 spaced from the pivot axis 16 by a distance equal to the spacingbetwe'n the axes 16 and 38. The two links 36 and 39 are connectedtogether by a pivot pin 43 for rotation around a pivot axis 44 equallyspaced from the axes 38 and 42 andin efiect co-operate with portions ofthe panels to form a 4-bar linkage wherein all of the links are pivotedfor rotation relative to the adjacent links. In other words the portionof the panel 10 between the pivot axes 16 and 38 is in effect one linkand the portion of the panel 11 between the pivot axes 16 and 42 is ineffect another link. These two panel portions co-operate with the links36 and 39 to form the 4-bar link-age.

A double acting fluid motor preferably of the piston and cylinder typeis utilized to actuate the linkage and produce the relative rotation ofthe two panels 10 and 11 around the pivot axis 16. Preferably a cylinder46 is pivoted on a mounting block 47 which is in turn mounted on thepanel 10 for rotation around an axis 41%..

A co-operating piston 48 extends from the cylinder 46;

and is connected to the first link 26 by a pivot 'pin 51.;

hatch. This produces clockwise rotation of the first link 36 around thepivot axis 38 and as a result relative rotation of the two panels 10 and11 about the pivot axis 16 to the position of Figure 4 through theconnection of the second link 39. Still further extension of the piston49produces relative movement of the various elements to the position ofFigure 5 at which time the two panels and 11 have rotated relative toeach other through substantially 180. When the hatch is to be closedfluid under pressure is supplied to the right end of the cylinder 46through a pressure line 53 which produces compression of the fluid motorand movement of the piston 49 to the left. This will produce movement ofthe two panels back through the position of Figure 4 to the position ofFigure 3 at which time panels are in their aligned position. A suitable4-way valve may be utilized to connect the cylinder 46 to a source offluid under pressure to control the action of the fluid motor. It shouldbe noted that the first link 36 has a tri-angular shape because thislink is subject to bending motion. However, the second link 39 can be ofa simple bar type since it is subjected only to compression and tensionloads. The cylinder 45 should be mounted on the outer panels, which inthis case is the panel 10 whenever possible, since this arrangementminimizes the requirement for flexible hoses from the fluid pressuresource on the ship.

It should be understood that the hatch cover for the weather deck willrequire seals between the adjacent panels and the deck or coaming aroundthe hatchway. It is preferable to form the roller supports 21 and 29 sothat the rollers 19 and 28 are beyond the ends of their respectivepanels 11 and 12 so that the initial opening of the covers will producevertical movement of the adjacent edge of the panels to prevent slidingof the seal between the hatch and the panel during the initial openingoperation. If the cover is to be used between decks normally seals arenot provided. Again when the hatch covers are to be used between decksit is normal to arrange the panels so that the upper surface thereof isflush with the deck. If this is done the tracks and hinges will bemounted slightly below the deck surface. However, on the Weather decknormally the tracks 22 and 31 are mounted on the surface of the coamingaround the hatch and the hatches extend above the deck surface.

Depending upon the width of the panels and their structural weight twoor more similar actuating mechanisms of the type shown in Figures 3through 5 can be symmetrically spaced along the joint between the panels10 and 11 and the hinges 14 are positioned laterally along the panels toone side of the actuating mechanism so that there will be nointerference between the hinge and the links 36 and 39 when the coversmove to the open position. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatby utilizing the 4-bar type link shown it is possible/to use a singlefluid motor to produce relative rotation between the panels throughsubstantially 180. It is necessary to arrange the link so that the pivotaxes 38 and 42 are both above the axis 16 of the hinge when the hatchwayis closed so that the system will not go through a dead center duringthe operation. I prefer to utilize a 4-bar linkage where the distancebetween the axes 38 and 16 is equal to the distance between the axes 16and 42 and wherein the distance between the axes 38 and 44 is equal tothe distance between the axes 44 and 42. It is also desirable to arrangethe mechanism so that the effective lengths of the links 26 and 29, thatis the distance of each of the axes 38 and 42, from the the axis 44 isgreater than their spacing from the axis 16. If a structure is utilizedwherein all of these conditions are met, the link 36 will be rotatedthrough less than 90 when the panels are rotated through 180 relative toeach other. In addition the proportions should be arranged so that theline of action of the fluid motor is perpendicular to a line connectingthe axis 38 with the axis of the pivot pin 51 when the panels are in theclosed position of Figure 3 so that the torque produced by the fluidmotor will be at a maximum at this time. With this structure theavailable torque is at a maximum when the panels start to open and dropsto a lower value as the panels approach the open position of Figure 5.Therefore the available torque follows the load requirements ofoperation which starts at a maximum and drops off as the panels open.Since the available torque tends to match the required torque anefficient system is provided wherein the minimum amount of oil is usedto power the device through a cycle. This has the advantage ofpermitting the use of a smaller pump or accumulator, as the case may be,in a given system. I

If all the panels are to be stowed at one end of the hatchway the twopairs of panels can be pivotally connected between the panels 11 and 12and the panel 13 would not be hinged to the deck but rather would beprovided with a roller which moves along a track.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the use of the simpleactuating system described above permits rotation of each panel throughand rotation between adjacent panels of relative to each other with theuse of a single piston and cylinder type motor. It also permits the useof links having simple pin-type connections which are relatively immuneto damage which is of utmost importance for marine installations where along, trouble free service life is necessary.

Although the preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated, itwill be realized that various modifications of the structural detailsmay be made without departing from the mode of operation and the essenceof the invention. Therefore, except insofar as they are claimed in theappended claims, structural details may be varied widely withoutmodifying the mode of operation. Accordingly, the appended claims andnot the aforesaid detailed description is determinative of the scope ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. A cover assembly comprising a pair of panels, each having an outerface and an inner face, a hinge connecting adjacent edges of said panelsfor relative rotation about an axis adjacent to said inner faces, firstand second links pivoted on said first and second panels respectively atpoints spaced longitudinally from said axis and laterally spaced fromsaid hinge, a pivot interconnecting said links, and a motor operablyconnected to one of said links operable to rotate said one link relativeto its associated panel effecting relative rotation of said panelsaround said axis between a first position in which said panels arealigned and a second position in which each panel is rotated 90 fromsaid first position, said outer faces of said panels co-operate to forma continuous surface when said panels are in said first position.

2. A cover assembly comprising a pair of panels, each havin" an outerface and an inner face, a hinge connecting adjacent edges of said panelsfor relative rotation about an axis adjacent to said inner faces, firstand second links pivoted on said first and second panels respectively atpoints spaced longitudinally from said axis and laterally spaced fromsaid hinge, a pivot interconnecting said links at a point spaced fromthe pivots connecting the links to the panels, and a motor operablyconnected between said first link and said first panel operable torotate said one link relative to its associated panel effecting relativerotation of said panels around said axis between a first position inwhich said panels are aligned and a second position in which each panelis rotated 90 from said first position.

3. A cover assembly comprising a pair of panels, each having an outerface and an inner face, a hinge connecting adjacent edges of said panelsfor relative rotation about an axis adjacent to said inner faces, firstand second links pivoted on said first and second panels respectively atpoints spaced longitudinally from said axis and laterally spaced fromsaid hinge, a pivot connecting said links at a point spaced from thepivots connecting the links to the panels, and a motor operablyconnected between said first link and said first panel operable torotate said one link relative to its associated panel effecting relativerotation of said panels around said axis between a first position inwhich said panels are aligned and a second position in which each panelis rotated 90 from said first position, said outer faces of said panelscooperate to form a continuous surface when said panels are in saidfirst position.

4. A hatch cover for closing a horizontal hatchway comprising first andsecond panels, a hinge connecting one of said panels to said hatchway, apivot connecting adjacent edges of said panels for relative rotationaround a first axis, a first link pivoted on said first panel forrotation relative thereto about a second axis, a second link pivoted onsaid second panel for rotation relative thereto about a third axisspaced from said first axis by a distance equal to the spacing betweensaid first and second axes, means interconnecting said links forrelative rotation around a fourth axis equally spaced from said secondand third axes, and a fluid motor including piston and cylinder elementsaxially movable relative to each other under the influence of fluidunder pressure, one of said elements being pivotally mounted on saidfirst panels and the other elements pivotally connected to said firstlink.

5. A hatch cover for closing a horizontal hatchway comprising first andsecond panels, a hinge connecting one of said panels to said hatchway, apivot connecting adjacent edges of said panels for relative rotationaround a first axis, a first link pivoted on said first panel forrotation relative thereto about a second axis, a second link pivoted onsaid second panel for rotation relative thereto about a third axisspaced from said first axis by a distance equal to the spacing betweensaid first and second axes, means interconnecting said links forrelative rotation around a fourth axis equally spaced from said secondand third axes, the distance between said second axis and said firstaxis being less than the spacing between said second axis and saidfourth axis, and a fluid motor including piston and cylinder elementsaxially movable relative to each other under the influence of fluidunder pressure, one of said elements being pivotally mounted on saidfirst panels and the other elements pivotally connected to said firstlink.

6. A hatch cover for closing a horizontal hatchway comprising first andsecond panels, a hinge connecting one of said panels to said hatchway, apivot connecting adjacent edges of said panels for relative rotationaround a first axis, a guide on the edge of the other panel opposite tosaid pivot movable along a horizontal plane, a first link pivoted onsaid first panel for rotation relative thereto about a second axis, asecond link pivoted on said second panel for rotation relative theretoabout a third axis spaced from said first axis by a distance equal tothe spacing between said first and second axes, 'means interconnectingsaid links for relative rotation around a fourth axis equally spacedfrom said second and third axes, the distance between said second axisand said first axis being less than the spacing between said second axisand said fourth axis, and a fluid motor including piston and cylinderelements axially movable relative to each other under the influence offluid under pressure, one of said elements being pivotally mounted onsaid first panel and the other element pivotally connected to said firstlink for rotation relative thereto around a fifth axis, the axis ofmovement of said piston being substantially perpendicular to a lineconnecting said fifth axis and said second axis when said panels closesaid hatchway.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,322,372 Levy June 22, 1943 2,664,947 Aarvold Jan. 5, 1954 2,753,827Sabin July 10, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 402,591 Great Britain Dec. 7, 1933

